Toy top



0. R. DAILEY I Oct. 4, 1927.

Filed March 7. 1927 fl INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OWEN 11.. DAILEY, or nAvEnron'r, IOWA. i

TOY TOP.

Application filed March 7 1927. Serial No. 173,480.

The objects of my invention are to provide a large hollow toy top whichwill automatically reverse so that when spun upon its pivot point orlower end it will automatically turn over and spin upon the end of thehandle.

I attain these objects by the means illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the top; Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssection on the line 2, 2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross sectionon the line 3, 3 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal sectionalview showing an alternative form of weights.

My top comprises a hollow globular body, the two halves of which I and1, are joined together by a pressfit as shown in Figure '2.

The upper edge of the lower half, 1", is bent in slightly to allow thelower edge of the upper half to encircle it.

The pivot post, 2, extends through the top of the upper half anddownwardly either to or through the lower half and may form a point, 2*,as shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2, upon which the top may bespun or the pivot point may be omitted and the top may be spun upon themiddle of the outer surface of the lower half. I prefer to form the topwith a short pivot point, 2

The lower half of the top is provided with a weight 4, which may beformed integral with the lower shell, 1, or may be secured to it bysoldering, cement or in any other suitable way. This weight may be inthe form shown at 4 in Figure 2,013 in the form of an annular washer,12, with projections extending therefrom as in Figure 4 or in any othersuitable form.

For the purpose of causing the. top to reverse automatically, thisweight may be secured either at the upper or lower pole of the top andis preferably evenly balanced although not necessarily exactly so.

Substantially upon a horizontal plane extending through the middle ofthe top, I secure weights, 6, 7 and 8,0r 9, 10 and 11. No precise numberof weights is requisite and they may be of the same or different sizes,

but when of the same size and weight must be unevenly spaced around thetop so that there will be an excess weight at one side of the top or ifevenly spaced, they must be of uneven weight. Figure-3 shows weights ofthe same size unevenly spaced and Figure 4 shows evenly spaced weightsof different sizes and weights.

The top will perform mthedesired manner whenever evenly weighted asshown at either top or bottom in addition to being unevenly weighted atthemiddle. The body of the top is preferably formed of hollow metal, butobviously may be made in the form of a solid globe and while for thesake of appearance the weights are preferably attached to the inside ofthe top, it is obvious that they may be applied to the outside either ofa hollow top or a solid globe. v

In order to get the best results, certain relative proportions shouldbe-observed be tween the weights and the body of the 'top.

Likewise, in order to getthe best results, a considerable initial speedof rotation should connected together as shown in Figure 4 where curvedarms, 14, connect the bottom weight, 12, wlth' the circumferentialweights 9, 10 and 11.

For spinning the top a crossbar is preferably secured in the handle towhich can be applied the ordinary spring spinner now in common use.Another form of spinner in common use has fingers or projectionsintended to extend into openings in the upper surface of the top and inFigure 2 are shown openings, 13, into which such fingers or projectionscan extend.

No claim is made as to any particular form of spinner for these arewell-known and in common use.

In the operation of my top the spinner is wound up and applied to theupper end of the top. The trigger of the spinner is then pressed and thespring action of the spinner starts the top spinning rapidly, thespinner then being withdrawn from the top or the top allowed to drop outof the spinner. As the top spins rapidly, the centrifugal action of theuneven weights causes it to tip over to one side and ultimately to hopup so asto spin upon the upper end of the handle, in which position itwill remain until its spinning action has slowed down su'liiciently tocause it. to tip: over. I

It is obvious that the principle of this invention is not confined totops of precisely 5 globular form, but is applicable to both prolate andoblate spheroidal bodies and to various modifications thereof.

It is also obvious that no precise form or size of Weight; is essential,the general prin- 1 ciple requiring merely an uneven di' tribulBlOIluGfWeight at the iniddle line of the cir- 1. An automatically inverting topcomprising a substantially globular body carryin'g' unevenly distributedWeight around its horizontal circumference.

f2. *An: automatically inverting top comtprisin'g a substantiallyglobular body car'r iiing unevenly distributed weight around itshorizontal circumference, -With additional weightsecured approximatelyat one of the poles. thereof. M 3. An automatically TBVBISIHglOP com-""rprising a body Weighted at itslower end and with additional Weightsunevenly distributed around its horizontal circumference. v

l. An automatically "reversing" top comprising a body Weighted atitsloWer end and with additional'vveights unevenly distributed aroundits horizontal circumference, and a handle secured thereto.

5. An automatically reversing top comprising a'bodywveighted at itslower end and with additional weights unevenly distributed around. its'iorizontal circumferencaand ahandle secured thereto adapted to beengaged by a mechanical spinner.

-6. An automatically reversing topx'comprisin a spheroidal body,'aweight united thereto approximately at one of'the vertical polesthereof, and additional Weights .se cured around the horizontalcircumference of the body and unevenly spaced thereon.

7. In a top, the combination With'h o'l'lovv upper-and lower shellssuitably united,of av Weighted element comprising an annular weightsecured at one pole of the top'vvith a plurality of arms extendingtherefrom "and securing unevenly distributed Weights approximately atthe horizontal circumference of the top. 7

8. A top comprising a substantially globular body carrying unevenlydistributed weight around its horizontal circumference, with additionalWeight secured approximately at one of the poles thereof.

In testimony whereof he aifixes'ihis; signature.

OWVEN R. DAILEY.

